About Me

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

When people ask us about what comics we're currently enjoying we usually look a bit embarrassed and mumble something about "not having much time" or some such. The truth is, we don't read a hell of a lot of new stuff or, more accurately, we don't read it while it's still new; we're pretty relaxed when it comes to getting our hands on comics.

However, one man who tries his best to keep us up to date is Mike McLean, proprietor of Asylum Books and Games up in Aberdeen. Disappointed at our lack of commitment to the medium, Mike occasionally sends us big fat boxes of comics and today was one of those days where the postman wakes me up with such a parcel.

The latest two issues of Elephantmen were in there (which we are both big fans of) as well as tonnes of zombie comics; some good, many terrible and at least one that was so very terrible it was almost back to being good.

He also included Your Round #1 - Tequila

"Your Round, the new pub story anthology comic book series from Olive Press Comics is now available to buy. The first issue, Tequila, features the talent of Declan Shalvey (Hero Killers), Bob Byrne (2000AD) and James Hodgkins (Batman/Aliens)."

Declan actually illustrates a story from Mister McLean himself (sometimes known as Tequila Mike, and for good reason). This is a very cool comic (probably our favorite from the lot); drunken pub stories in comic book form is really a genius concept.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Raise the Dead #3 - "Thicker Than Water" came out on the 6th of June and the reaction seems to be very positive so far. We certainly like it anyway. Only one issue to go now; how time flies.

Witchblade - Shades of Gray #2 - "The Enemy of My Enemy" will arrive in shops in the USA tomorrow (the 20th of June) and here in the UK on Thursday (the 21st). Hopefully, the slight delay between the first issue and this one won't have put too many of you off *crosses fingers*.

Savage Tales #2 (featuring part two of our Battle for Atlantis mini) is also out as of tomorrow/Thursday. People seem to be loving this; it's a really old fashioned adventure/sword and sorcery type anthology title and that's obviously something that's very appealing to a lot of readers.

We're currently working on another four issue mini for Dynamite (which we've already turned in the first script for) as well as researching the hell out of a prospective adaptation project for them. Busy as ususal.

On Saturday the 19th of May Leah and I headed down/over to Stoke on Trent where our old chum Shane Oakley had somehow managed to wangle us a day as extras in a zombie film called Out of Space. Ostensibly, this was so that I could write a piece for www.RevenantMagazine.com about the film and whole experience (which will be appearing online very soon) but it was also a very good laugh. Very nice popping into the pub over the road for last orders still dressed as zombies afterwards too. The bar man's reaction: "Alright, you doin' a film are you?".

The wife and myself (with photoshop enhanced eyes)

Sickly Suzanne and Icky Oakley

Sunday the 27th of May saw us over in the historic market town of Market Weighton for Giant Bradley Day which I will be writing an article about that will hopefully appear in Fortean Times during the next few months.

In addition to all the historical giant stuff (which I'm saving for the article, obviously) not only did we see what was professed to be the world's biggest garden spade...

...we also had a dream opportunity to take loads of photos of classic cars and produce the following Coop style post (with a uniquely British twist)...

That's right my friends, Morris Minors by the dozen. Look at the engine on this little bugger; that's an Austin designed 0.8 L overhead valve A-Series, unless I'm very much mistaken. A top speed of 63 mph. What a beauty, but I digress.

In addition to all the above mentioned shenanigans we've also completed (this very evening... or is that morning now?) the script for the very first issue of a brand new Dynamite Entertainment/Top Cow crossover series. Details coming soon.

Oh and don't forget, Raise the Dead #3 is out this week so make sure you pick up a copy before it sells out (did that sound too cocky?).